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A Tale Confided 
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IN FIVE ACTS 
Divulged 

By M. Y. T. H. MYTH 

Author of '' Tales of Eiichantment'' &^c. 
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BROADWAY PUBLISHING COMPANY 
835 Broadway, * * New York 



LIBRABV of CUNG*7F.SS 
1 wo Copies Received 

DEC 19 |gQ3 

,f^ Cop^fijirit tfitry 
GLASS (X XXc, Ho. 



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Copyright. 1908J 

BY 

BROADWAY PUBLISHING COMPANY 



A/l Rights Reserved 



PERSONAE. 



Count Thisti^e Imp 

CouNTKss ThistIvH Bacchus 

CiwARA, daughter of Countess, step-child 

to Count Smiling Lily, Pet's mother 

Young Poe:t Page, a lackey 

Jenny, a beautiful girl. 

Naturaust, her father Owl 

Fairy Queen Dragonfly 

other I^AIRIES. 

DafjPodii, Ministering Spirits 

INSEPARABI.E Elite of Flora and Birds 



Precise ^ 




Goldheetlcs 


Mentrix 




Bumblebee 


Nerve 




Ladybirds 


Weird 




Molhisk 


Pet 




Snake 


Historian oi^ 


Fairyi^and 


Toad 


Gnome 




Turtle 


Primodon, his 


attendant 


Cactus 



Cupid 



Ghost of Count Thistle 



ACT I. 

SCEN^ I. ON HIGH. 

Enter, Twin Fairies, flying. 

Ins^parabIvE;. 

In calyx rocked, 
We wingless longed 

For flight! 
Now, soaring, we 
Can measure that 

Delight. 

By spreading wings 
We rest awhile 

At will. 
We soar, as not 
Toilingy to heights 
Higher still. 
Precise. Our time-piece, the sun, ^hows the 
approach of the hour for meetings on our 
playground. I feel myself attracted to that 
spot as by some charm. Do not you ? 



2 A TaIvK Coni^id^d by th^ Woods 

Ins. Down glittering snow 

To glide; wave's course 

To share; 
Dim joys compared 
To floating on 
The air! 
PrEC. At this rate of speed the green robed 
giant of the forest, our playground's senti- 
nel, the elm, will soon hold up to us his 
forefinger, saying, "Here, alight!" 
Ins. 

When floating down 
In circles wide. 
The landscape calm 

We view; 
But, setting foot. 
We lift our eyes, 
And long to soar 
Anew! 
ipR^C. The dial, in other words the play- 
ground sentinel's forefinger's shadow, 
proves us to be ahead of time; yet all are 
assembled — 'tis strange, we seem to be ex- 
pected; all are impatient for our advent. 
Ins. 

Whatever shortcomings fairies nmy betray. 
When p}easiire calls them they do not delay. 



A Tai.e: Con]?ided by the Woods 3 

Scene II. Fairies' playground, with full as- 
semblage. Twin Fairies alight. 

Fairies. Twice welcome, twin sisters! Your 
presence brings proof that our talisman is 
still at its best; for all of us had united in 
wishing for you. By virtue of the magic 
ball you now add charm to the wish-play. 

(Embraces, and showing off of the many 
lustrous objects acquired by the play.) 

Twins. The working of the wish-play would 
bear repetition. Secrecy we swear to. 

Mentrix. As you catch the apple make a 
wish, and touch the thrower's nose. When 
the wish is fulfilled, toss the ball again and 
present your own nose. 

Twins. We remember the rules and limita- 
tions. 

Pet. Alas, the limitations! 

Ment. Yet I cite the rule that whoso plays 
the talisman into hands inimical shall un- 
dergo severest punishment. 

Fair. And new comers are to be assisted in 
catching the talisman. 

Ment. So up it goes I 



4 A Tale Confided by the Woods 

Twins (holding it). In courtesy we ask you 

what you wish. 
Ment. Don't, or do! 

First Fair. Let us wish for a visit from the 

beautiful lady, Miss Jenny, the fairies' 

friend, whom our Queen delights to honor. 

Sec. Fair. Yes, but first let us wish that poor 

Fairy Weird return from exile. 
Twins. Come, Fairy Weird! Come the 
quicker, as all of us unite in wishing it. 
( Prolonged expectation. ) 
Twins. Oh, we forgot. 

(They touch Mentrix's nose. Enter, hag- 
gard, unkempt, in gray tatters, Fairy 
Weird.) 
Weird, (resting against a tree). 
Avaunt, deceptive vision! 

Uutruthful notes, begone — • 
Ye outgrozijth of perdition, 
With sympathy of stone! 

Too often have you led me 
To dance with shadows w\y, 

Too often fiozver carpets 
Proved nets of mockery. 

Far from my friends the fairies, 



A Tal^ Con]?ided by the; Woods 5 

And from the light of day, 
I languish in this cavern. 

To winds and ghosts a prey! 

The wind is the wail of spirits 

Rising in agony; 
The ivind's diminuendo 
Means more despondency. 
PrEC. My hairs stand on end. I decamp. 

(Exit, Inseparable following.) 
Weird. 

That in the utmost darkness 

A blacker show he seen 
Is strange; yet oh! far stranger 
This vision of bright green. 
(Weeps. All fairies weep.) 
Fair, (taking her hands). But our darling! 
May, in the midst of delusions, our tears 
prove us your old, true friends. Oh, take 
us back to your heart! 

Weird. 

Avaunt, deceptive vision! 

Untruthful notes, begone! 
Ye outgrowth of perdition. 

With sympathy of stone! 

What is it Hope doth whisper? 
"My power is to last; 



6 A Tai^e: Con^id^d by the: Woods 

Relinquished for the future, 
Hope lingers for the past." 
Me:nT. What did Hope whisper? 
Aged Historian. In this emergency the His- 
torian comes to the rescue. Weird's ex- 
periences forming, in my opinion, an epoch 
in our history, I began engraving them on 
this leaf. Hope whispered: 
"My power is to last 
Relinquished for the future, 
Hope lingers for the past.'* 
Nerve. Ask me for plunges with dangers 

fraught ! 
Men. I rather plunge into depths of thought; 

Ages, though, pass ere a riddle I solve. 
Pet. Is the Historian less confused? 
Hist. With facts I deal ; am stranger to com- 
ments. 
Pet. And stranger, maybe, to events. 
Dai^i^odii,. Should Weird herself disclose 
Hope's meaning, there would indeed be 
hope for her. 

Weird. 

Yea, Hope eternal! Torment 

Forever mine, to past 
Delights I cling and hope for 

Remembrance to the last. 



A Tali; Coni^ided by the Woods 'j^ 

Fair. Our own dear Weird! we each and all 
will now think for a moment only of one of 
the many pleasantries of life. 
Hist. But Weird strikes a note predictive of 
new melodies; and who averts attention 
therefrom shall be reported to our Queen, 
Weird. 

Swept from my friends untimely, 

As by a frozvning blast, 
The sombre pine-trees, bowing. 
Seem terror to forecast. 

No cavalry, fire-breathing, 

That out of Hades came, 
Could like the jet black tossers^ 

Portent my fear inflame: 

"Time flows without obstruction 

Toward his destiny; 
Not so the life of fairy. 

Fixed though its issue be. 

One thing involves another, 

You hurt a butterfly, 
^Are banished; see us bowing, 

Forestall your fate thereby,*' 

But after kind Aurora 



8 A TaIvE Con]Fided by the Woods 

Had lit me to that grove, 
A Sunday calm there reigning 
Soothed fears I felt above. 

The pines, green in the morning. 

Perfume the summer air; 
The pines, however sombre. 

Becoming blossoms bear. 

In this soft air I wander; 

Some sky is also seen. 
The specks of sky are sombre. 

The pine-tree grove is green. 

No solitary ramble 

Enchanted me like this. 
Scarce said, a pang rebukes me; 
Pray tell me what it is? 
Fair. Hallucination. And you are our Weird. 
Weird. 

Oh, I am so unhappy! 

Yet wherefore do I weep? 
Soft is the air and fragrant; 
Green are the pines that sleep. 

Yes, sleep.. Awake, O Nature! 

So darksome is the day. 
Confounding dawn with twilight, 

Thou drea}nst thy noons away. 



A Tai^k Coni^idkd by the Woods 9 

Thrush! Oriole! created 

To sing and console, azvakel 

O, Columbine, conductress 
To thoughts divine, awake! 

Where flowers, birds, are absent, 

'Twere vain to seek or sigh 
For image of their beauties — 

The most-loved butterfly. 

O, soulless, soulless sumimerl 

All, all that I hold dea/r 
Thou banishest. Enjoyest 
Thou my lament and tear? 
(All weep.) 
P^T. La, la ! we ci*y, we weep, a combination 

called howling. 
Ment. Don't! Petulance will work your 

ruin yet. 
Pet. a Don't has ruined me already. 
Weird. 

My grief turned into anguish. 

When, trying to escape, 
'/ found the grove assuming 
An endless forest's shape. 



Whichever way I wended 
No egress to be seen — • 



10 A Tai^e: Con]Pide:d by the; Woods 

Sepulchral cones forever 
On ever-lifeless green. 

Thus face, feet, hands, by spectres 
Of needles wounded were, 

'And I grew weary, weary, 
And sickened of that air. 

With pinions maimed, I suffered 

My paces to relent; 
Of silence loath, entreated 

That hut a breeze be sent; 

A breeze invigorating, 

Fresh from an ocean blown; 

Or gentle breeze zvith solace 
From Fairy-land my-ozvn. 

Hark! a disturbance surely 
Denotes the waning day; 

Sepulchral pines surround me 
In m^otionless array. 

Hark! Doubtless a commotion 
Moves, if no grave, my hope; 

By intuition surely 
I am led to a slope. 

And on that slope stands, guarded 



A Tai^e: Coni^ided by th^ Woods i i 

By pines, a Giant Ear! 
An ear of rock, producing 
Many a fancy queer. 

(Through it I fondly fancied 

The zvay to seas unknown. 
Through it a star might guide me 

To Fairy-land my-own. 

But o'er the slippery needles 

To reach that rock I tried 
'And try in vain. Exhausted 

I meet the dread of night. 

MknT. Poor Weird! Punishment like this 
was ne'er intended. How fared you, Daffo- 
dil, when exiled for neglect of your name- 
sake? 
Dai^F*. While in the 'grove I felt some loneli- 
ness, I hurried through and those sensations 
ceased. 
We;ird. 

What if the pine tree forest 

Shook off its sleep at night 
And in its ghastly shadows 

Worse things came to my sight f, 

And then despair assailed me. 
And on the wings of fear. 



12 A TaIvE Con?ide:d by the; Woods 

By hand, knee, foot assisted, 
I gained the mountain Ear, 

Through many a narrow passage, 
Through many a wide vault space, 

I wandered, till the passage 
No longer could I trace. 

14 long while I resisted 

My cruel destiny — 
Slow — slowly I accepted - 

That all was lost to me 

Save hut the sound of wailing, 

And many a spirit's groan; 
Sad melodies commingled 
With weeping of my own. 
(Enter, gaudy equipage, drawn by grey- 
hounds. Precise, Inseparable, and Gnome 
step out.) 
Twins (embracing Weird). Our friend, the 

Gnome. 
Gnome;. Good-day, to Wei "d in particular ! 
Where is good Primodon? Usually, when 
I take the reins, he outruns my fliers. (En- 
ter the aged Primodon, with a wheelbar- 
row.)^ With verbal explanations we dis- 



A I'aIvE: Coni^ide;d by the Woods 13 

pense, your face explaining that you stum- 
bled over a novelty in wheels, which, turn- 
ing out a capital toy, put you in a state of 
high glee. Delay no longer. Make Fairy 
Weird comfortable in the equipage, and 
drive her to my home. 

(Primodon puts Weird into the wheel- 
barrow and runs off.) 

Gno. I meant my equipage. No matter — 
with equal zeal he'll carry out my subter- 
ranean instructions. 

Fair. What were your instructions? 

Gno. a gradualist, I disapprove precipitation. 
Weird could be restored but by degrees. 
The plan agreed on between the whole- 
hearted twins and their obedient friend is 
this: 

Again some subterranean rock-effect in 
my habitation's dim lit, better part. The 
softest cushion fairly scented. Daily dew- 
drops in five choice petals, for variety of 
visions. And /Primodon replace the wail 
of winds by miners' songs. 

Fair. Something about him puzzled us. 

Gno. Providence indemnifies. Inimitable are 
the notes of Primodon; and when his richly 



14 A Tai.e) Con]?ide:d by the; Woods 

modulated do-re-mi's reach Weird they can- 
not fail of elevating her impressionable 
heart. Then other joys' slow procession; 
an occasional glimpse of a ruby, an emerald, 
a gurgling well — a bird in the distance — a 
butterfly in her hand — a peep o' day — may 
gradually bring her back to happiness. 
Now, good-bye. 

(Oflf.) 

Fair. Let us play again. 

(The talisman is tossed. Pet catches it.) 

Pe:t. What shall I wish? 

M^NT. When there's no prudent wish to say, 
let thankfulness for what you have all 
wish for more outweigh. You have 
enough; so have we. Reserve your wish 
until our common weal entail a commion de- 
sire. I propose commencement of another 
game; and to dissenters offer my emphatic 
DON'T. 

P^T. 

When blossoms wee 
And blossoms tall 
Their love to me 

Declared, 
Why was it that 



A Tale Confided by the Woods 15 

/_, slighting all, 
For mothe/s love 
But cared? 

My iiwtherf the 
Queen Lily, white 
And good, bestows 

On me 
'And all around 
A smile, 7nost fair. 
But marble might 

It be! 

Child's hand in hers, 

A lady came, 

And said, "Here let 

Us rest. 
Because I know 
Of Flora's gifts, 
These, darling, thou 

Loi/st best:' 

"0, Mother mine. 
My flower dear, 
My dearest and 

My all! 
Without thee were 
My love nowhere, 



1 6 A Tai.^ CoNim)tT> by th^ Woods 



Nor could I live 
At alir 

A quick response. 
And tender, came; 
It touched my heart, 

And then 
I turned to Lily-Queen 
And met — 
That marble smile 

Again! 

The lady with 

The child had smiled 

A love to me 

Unknown; 
I then and there 
Conceived the wish 
That mother were 

Mine own. 

She stroked my hair. 
My cheek; in words 
More sweet than I 

Can tell, 
Said I should come 
And he her child. 
Sister to Clara 

As well. 



A Tal^ Confided by the Woods i^ 

Then suddenly 
Count Thistle catne. 
Angry and grim 

And rough. 
The lady's plea 
To take me home, 
Met ''DON'T!" in 

Accents gruff. 

)My dream is dreamt. 
Lived is my life. 
Since mother's love 

I lost, 
I care not, though 
A talisman 
E'en to an Imp 
Were tost! 
(Flings away talisman. Enter at full 
speed, catching it, Imp in fiery garb ; scruti- 
nizes the situation and bursts into parox- 
isms of laughter. Consternation among 
fairies, who, Mentrix and Historian having 
secured Pet, scatter in all directions.) 
Imp. An apple? An apple; unmistakably 
dried up, too — let that pass, digression kill- 
ing argument. Not decay, but life inherent 
to discover is the problem of tlie hour. That 



1 8 A Tale CoNi^iDEiD by the Woods 

by this sphere I was attracted bears no 
doubt; nor that by this tahsman I am en- 
dowed with extraordinary power to attract 
— whom? what? When it approached, a 
heron, eastward bound, ecHpsed it, while the 
sun was well along towards the west. Co- 
incidences or conditions? Perceptions, 
surely, worthy of a mark. Now to prime 
considerations. The problem invites com- 
mencing at the root. He who beholds the 
Pyramids and knows not how they came to 
be, knows naught, but he who has studied 
into them to their very cornerstone, he say 
I may ascend their peak, and like a sage 
with experiences of ages made his own enjoy 
the outlook on a world at his command! I 
ope my eyes to truth, that others would fail 
to improve. 

As to Imp, he orders his ministers 

To puzzle o'er what to this Sphinx relates, 

And sending some on searching expeditions, 
Keeps at a distance those zvhom he most hates, 
(Exit, laughing.) 



A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 19 



Scene III. 

Wilderness. 
Fairies, excepting Pet and Weird. 

Fair. She, our playmate when she pleases, 
comes to this wilderness our Queen; tlie 
crown she wears proclaims her pleasure now 
to practice sovereign authority. 

Ment. Don't forget your deep obeisance 
when she makes mention of her throne. 
And should she rhyme an aphorism, shout 
applause. 

(Enter Fairy-Queen. y 

Queen. Once more we wander on the 
shadow side of fairy life, and realize the 
instability of our home. Once more must 
we pass judgment on one whom we love. 
Had we, your queen, been present at the 
wish-play we should not ask you to confirm 
to us that the talisman has been wittingly; 
surrendered by Pet to Imp. 

Fair. Wittingly, we grieve to say — to our 
best knowledge and belief. 



20 A TaIv^ Con]^ide:d by the: Woods 

Qu. Our laws demand severe punishment for 
that crime. The ballot will decide how she 
be punished. That she be put out of Imp's 
way, which were harm's way, stands to 
reason. 

(Mentrix distributes leaves, with whose 
stems the votes are marked. Queen casts 
vote; so do fairies. The box is ceremoni- 
ously handed to Queen, who, opening it, 
glances at each vote.) 

All votes agree. We herewith sentence Pet 
to exile in the Cave-of- Winds, described to 
us as an Inferno. Had we been present we 
should have forbidden remarks which were 
undignified. 

Hist. Many an instance could I quote — • 

Qu. Learn sorting chaff from wheat. Take 
that for wheat. Whom shall we send to 
trace that cave? 

( Pause, y 

MenT. I am so glad that no one mentioned 
Weird, who should not be reminded of her 
woes. Without my interdiction you did, 
and may do, right; and Pet's misfortune 
dating from Count Thistle's heartless 



A Tale Confided by the Woods 21 

"Don't," I have decided not to utter "Ddn't" 
again. 
Qu. Adhere to your resolves, as We to Ours. 
Again: Who were most apt to find the 
Cave-of-Winds? 
Daff. I v^ill set out, provided Fairy Nerve 

be my convoy. 
Nerve. I will, provided we depart at once. 
Ment. And finding yourselves in the Ear, 
don't try to pierce its tympanum. 
(Daffodil and Nerve off.) 
Qu. Let Cupid, our friend, be induced to hire 
himself to Imp in hope of recovering the 
talisman. But 

Of a costly gem bereft, 

Count it like a yesterday. 
Something there is always left. 
Value that, and your To-day. 
(Imperiously barkening for applause.) 
Fairies. Ah ! 

(All off.y 



22 A Tai.e Confided by the Woods 



ACT 11. 

Scene I. Entrance to Gnome's habitation. 
A lawn enclosed by richly wooded hills and 
emerald cascades. Fairies and their Queen, 
all in subdued colors. Enter, from subter- 
ranean passage: Primodon; Gnome in gray, 
leading Weird, brilliantly dressed. 

Gno. Greetings, friends! Do welcome Fairy 
Weird. 

Fairies. A thousand welcomes ! 

(Weird salutes them with mirthful laugh- 
ter; salutes the birds, prominent among 
them thrush and oriole; salutes the colum- 
bine, of flowers the first to greet her. 
Among butterflies Weird hastens to the one 
she had hurt, fondly embraces and caresses 
it, both shedding tears of joy. Weird min- 
gles in the exquisite fairy dances, her ro- 
gueries equalled only by those of the Queen, 
a playmate now because she wears no 



A Tale Coni<ided by the Woods 23 

crown. Weird then flies into a cascade's 
spray that, caught by sunbeams, turns into 
rainbows which, in their turn, are adapted 
for either her diadem or fan. Many similar 
feats, pecuhar to happy fairy hfe, are joy- 
fully watched by Primodon.) 

Gno. All instrumental to this jubilee should 
share in it. Approach, good Primodon! 
Unfold your eloquence, or amuse yourself 
in other ways. 

(Primodon retires, and reappears run- 
ning the rounds with the wheelbarrow.) 

Qu. (jumping into it). No alternative — or 
he would get ahead of me. 

(Weird flies to Gnome, and whirls him 
in gay dance.) 

Gno. (laughing with the rest). Gradually, 
gradually ! 



Scene II. Misty swamp, with its flora and 
inhabitants. 

MoLLuSK. Restraint from exercise of mis- 
chief is the evil of these days. 

Toad. That one with spirits, like myself, 
should be forbid to croak with all her might I 



24 A TaIvi: Con^id]^ by th^ Woods 

Moi.. Eight days of such suffering have been 
endured; three days of grace to master — » 
then revolt! 

Aivi.. Then we revolt ! 

Moi,. Hush! our master. 

(Enter Imp, followed by Dragonfly and 
She-Bumblebee. ) 

Imp. Ha, my gentle, patient lambs! For 
some more patience must I crave — ^you will 
not always be befogged. 

Moiv. Our life ebbs low from ennui. 

Imp. For pastime's sake I transfer to your 
swamp a new convert. Sir Dragonfly, whose 
principles point to — what moral? 

DragonfIvY. That Vice should be rewarded. 

Aiviv. Welcome, as so minded. 

BuMB. Will there be music? 

Imp. Turtle, give us a whisper. 

TurTi^E. Snap, snap, snap. 

Imp. And snake — 

Snake. Rattle, rattle, rattle. 

Imp. Cactus — 

Cact. Sting, sting, sting. 

Imp. a case of aggravated huskiness. Who 
heard of husky angels? (Ascends stump of 
tree.) Loudly sing of music sweetest! 



A Tale: Confided by the Woods 25 

(While Imp wields baton, all perform a 
song, melting from individual notes into 
a most original swamp-symphony.) 

BuMB. An anthem, verily. 

Imp. (laughing, aside). Thus much for 
Chords Celestial! (To his flock) Guide the 
Owl hither. (Enter Owl.) I thought of 
sending you to the front to select a point 
favorable for light effects; but should you 
be too much prepossessed for night or 
shadow — 

Owiv. I shall be pleased to serve. As lief I 
stood direct under the sun, from which en- 
lightened standpoint I could direct an array 
of grasshoppers. I am far seeing and wise 
— did you dismiss my guide? 

Imp. I did. 

Owiy. In confidence I might complain that 
your people misconceive me; each one, be- 
grudging me the light, throws me into the 
background. My sharper beak and claws, 
my contour distingue, breed jealousy like 
theirs. Alone with you, I may here draw 
attention to one of my many charms — my 
grace in motion. I dance this way — and 
this — and this — (Crooked little jumps 



26 A Tai,^ Con]?ide:d by the) Woods 

forward, backward, to right, to left.) While 
the graceless Cactus joggles thus, and thus. 

Cactus (angrily, aside). Oh, this is almost 
more than I can stand. 

(Imp and all the rest, full of laughter 
which they strive to repress, imitate awk- 
wardness ascribed to Cactus.) 

Owiv. The Turtle, murdering grace, flaunts 
thus — 

TuRT. (the others mimicking). Oh, this is 
almost more than I can stand. 

Owi,. The snake sneaks thus — 

Snake (aside). You wretch! 

(All rehearse, during the following dia- 
logue, a dance mimicking the owl.) 

Imp. One charm of yours, the greatest, you 
omitted. 

Owiv. Indeed — the horns that christened me 
the beautiful horned Owl? 

Imp. Not those. Your eyes. 

Owi.. Four fiery balls, so effectually can I 
turn my neck. 

Imp. a wizard might bestow on them the 
transient virtue of setting your adversaries 
ablaze. 

Dwiv. Apply, I pray, such an avenging potion. 



A Tai^e: Con?ide:d by the Woods 27 

(Imp pours liquid on a bandage with 
which he bHnd folds Owl. Removes ban- 
dage. Owl, with bewildered stare at owl- 
dance) : 

What do I behold ? My graces grimaced by 
my foes ? Oh, this is more than I can stand ! 

Ai,L. Depart into night, you dreary back- 
woods hopper ! 

Owi,. Was ever Beauty more defamed? 

Imp. And there bury your conceit. 
(All off.) 



Scene III. Woods and brook. On board a 
sloop: Cupid and Insects. 

Gold Beetle. Now that twilight calls forth 
birds of night, 'tis time to part, and ends 
for us another happy day. 

Cupid. For me as happy; my presentiment 
holds true. The breeze that speeds a ves- 
sel's course imparts life also to the mariner, 
e'en as with unfanned, lifeless sails his heart 
is apt to sink. Not so my heart when my 
sloop became, a week ago, within these your 
woods, becalmed. Then all encouraged me; 
fireflies painted for me on the darkness sig- 



^8 A Tal^ Con^idkd by th^ Woods 

nals of new friendships, while the brooklet 
low relieved the stillness by that consoling 
strain : 

"It cannot so remmn" 
And what busy to-and-fro I espied, when on 
this nearer shore tree, bush and fern arose 
to sight, and in their kindly shade soft col- 
ored flowers and insects came to happy life. 
Your hospitality fills me with gratitude. 

G01.DB. That sentence should be ours, since, 
though urged, you were not yet on shore, 
but welcomed us as guests day after day, 
ingratiating us by lessons in the wisdom of 
the world — 

Cup. — than which your Elders* teaching yet 
is wiser. 

Goi^DB. (head-shaking). What tale to-mor- 
row? 

Cup. Weather willing, a tale of love. 

GoivDB. Another rather of the Wisdom of the 
World, which is to be our wisdom. 

Others. That wisdom to practice shall be 
our delight. 

Ai.iv Insi:cts. Action! action! Good-night! 
good-night ! 

(Saluted by Cupid, guests fly off.)' 



A Tale Coni^ided by the Woods 29 

Cup. a month of service, and the talisman 
not recovered yet ! 

(Enter, in darkness. Imp. Climbs on 
board. ) 

Imp. Lieutenant! on guard? 

Cup. Aye, master. 

Imp. (seated). Spreading nets, this was a 
busy day. Was yours as profitable? 

Cup. (seated). My manifold displays of fes- 
tive flags and fruit from distant climes 
again attracted a multitude of winged call- 
ers; and what with ditties odd and queer, 
and showing off the wondrous outfit of the 
sloop, I became possessed of secrets of my 
guests as well as those rooted in the mooring 
land. The opposite cloud-wrapt shore keeps 
all in awe : Accords celestial, spirits sojourn 
there, out-brilliancing the glories of the 
skies; in brief — that land is Heaven. Thus 
preached a venerable prophet — 

Imp. Ahem! 

Cup. — and the young believe the sermon, 
while 

The hoary trees, the insects gray 
Have tried to teach and foster. 



30 A Tai^e: Confided by the: Woods 

But met with wisdom such, tJmt they 
Smiled silently thereafter. 
Imp. Leave them on the broad grin. Our 

business is with the young crop. 
Cup. a Ladybird told me : The Biography of a 
Bumble-Bee! 

When and where born, hard to tell; his 
whereabouts and actions, of late, unknown; 
his eyes, inscrutable; his color, a shade be- 
twixt ; when asked he never listens ; nor ever 
did he — did he? — no, he didn't since you 
came, say "Yes" or "No"— 
Imp. (laughing. Aside). — mystified by an- 
thems in the opposite cloud-wrapt "Prom- 
ised Land" with apparitions like that of his 
great-grandmother, undistinguishable in 
seraphic vestments which allured her to our 
service as deceiver, enamoring young bum- 
blebee. 
Cup. a happy bumble-bee withal, like all the 

inmates of the woods. 
Imp. 

Grief of these, our happiness. 

Let us hope for their distress, 

(Exit into cabin.) 

Cup. I should regret to leave my new, kind 



A TaIvE: CoNiPlDED BY THE WoODS 3 1 

friends, were not his aim so dark, and their 
position such as to preclude aid, which I 
need, through them. 

A shght disturbance seems to touch the 
northern sky. Shall it, like others, count 
for naught? 



32 A TaIvI: CONIflDieD BY TH^ WoODS 



ACT. III. 

Sc^NE I. Sylvan Solitude. 

Enter, Young Poet. Sinks down on a bed of 
moss. 

Po^'T (after mature reflection, aloud) : 
No closer tie, no tie more strong 

^Than that between farewell and tear. 
But when tJve poet yields to song 

Farewell to silence brings good cheer. 

Thus might the dismal world I cheer, 

Had not my lyre deserted me; 
Scarce m^by I, in this foreign sphere. 

Find a few parting words for thee. 

May echoes tell thee that from gloom 
A pilgrim rose through angel hand. 

The pilgrim I, scourged by simoom, 
The angel thou, thine eyes, thy wand, 

^0, Jenny dear! More loved thou art 
Than thou canst possibly divine. 



A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 33 

Oh, couldst thou — Hush, forgetful heart, 
Recall that promise, not to pine. 

(Notes of birds are heard.) 

The airs that once I did revere 

No more to Music now belong, 
For since thy voice has touched my ear 

I've lost the love for minor song. 
(Exit into thicket, among birds.) 



Scene II. A clearing in the woods. Enter 
Imp on Dragonfly. Dismounts. 

Imp. New traps neatly laid, one may set off 
one's thoughts upon a resting place, where 
to indulge in reverie, until occurrences per- 
chance invite participation. But where 
should one repose? 

(Perceiving arbor, Imp approaches and 
looks within. Jenny discovered, standing 
in pensive attitude and listening.) 

Jenny (murmurs). Surely 1 heard his voice 
in the distance. 

Imp (aside). She does not mean my voice, 
but I will make her listen to me. How to 
accost her ? Meanwhile, to screen her from 



34 A Tale: Coni^idkd by the Woods 

the eyes of others, I will draw these vines 
over the doorway. Who comes this way? 

(Music. Enter Bacchus with his tribe; 
two Bacchanals carrying on litter a cask 
ornamented with vines.) 

Bag. To wander sometimes over stretches un- 
adorned by vines tends to increase love for 
our own territory. 

Imp. Bacchus! god, and ally still, I trust; how 
didst thou fare? 

Bag. Well; and thou, Imp? after our recent 
entertainment which became a misadventure 
through betrayal by thy hireling Cupid. 

(Bacchus takes wooden goblet from 
erected cask, and invites Imp to do like- 
wise.) 

Imp. I thirst for wine. And, as agreed, thou 
didst keep the entertaining culprit a close 
prisoner until it shall suit thee to deliver him 
to me? Let me apply the stubborn faucet. 
(Imp turns faucet, yet no flow. Peeps 
through faucet hole into cask and bursts 
into torrents of laughter, joined by Vn-- 
chus and his tribe.) 



A TaIvE: Confide:d by the; Woods 35 

Imp. 

Spirits though this qucci' urn contain. 
Yet not such as to vineyard appertain. 
Bacchus and Tribe (laughing and singing)'. 
Wine ! wine ! O, blessed" wine ! 
(Exeunt.) 
(Imp unbolts cask, singing.) 
Imp. 

Who on a dragonfly 

Passed through the world as I 

At each turn 
Fathomed its mysteries 
And put their healing keys 
Into this urn. 

If it should come to pass -*■ 

That an o'er curious lass 

Asked for mine 
Aid, I'd say. Take your key, 
Hence you must stay w-ith me, 
You are mine. 
(Cupid, with wings clipped, ascends from 
cask. ) 
Cup. Oh, the superb, exhilarating air and 
light! Here are Imp and Dragonfly. What 
agent, master, carried me here ? 
Imp. Be content with your discovery. Be- 



36 A Tai.]^ Con^ide:d by th^ Woods 

hold mine in this enclosure. Now for my 
love-securing whisper! Your talent may 
dictate entertainment. 

(Disappears.)" 
Cup. Seclusion, a communicative friend, has 
taught me comfort. Situations worse than 
mine exist. Wings undipped were useless 
to one chained ; nor am I chained to vulture- 
haunted rock, but to a devil who (since 
devils have no friends yet cannot live alone) 
depends on me for company. Comforting 
thought that I have joined breaking hearts. 
And while I lost my liberty did I not gain 
the talisman, my disguisement's aim. (Feels 
his seeming humpback.) No more Her- 
culean labor for my liberty than touching 
the oppressor's nose. Well, then ! To leave 
no means unused, my flashes of wit pierce 
Imp's weak nerve. Risibility, and when, 
convulsed, he yields his nose, shall my artifi- 
cial laughter cease. (Re-enter Imp.) What 
key, my Imp, shall I deliver? Archangel 
scared by a crow? Beelzebub, the all-be- 
nign? Cross and hobgoblin? Devilkin in 
search of skeletons? Eusibius, a legend? 
F 



A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 37^ 

Imp. Forbear, forbear. First I herewith in- 
troduce you (pointing into enclosure) to 
Miss Jenny, the future Mrs. Imp. 

Cup. Blind to disparities, love were secured? 

Imp. I found her suffering from an acute at- 
tack of Curiosity, caused by a hallooing sen- 
timentalist, whose lamentations Echo would 
not keep to herself. 

Echo of Poet's Voice. 

Though only once our glances met. 

Though hut one word I heard of thine, 
Both word and glance spoke love — and yet 

Thou couldst not, loving maid, he mine? 

Imp. Now, my erratic Cupid, entertainer in- 
exhaustible! Unravelment cures curiosity. 
For such cure I claim her hand; and unless 
haphazard interfere, she shall be won by fair 
play. Proceed ! 

Cup. a month ago my sloop was, on a wood- 
brook, becalmed. 

Imp. Stir the calm up with thunder and light- 
ning ! 

Cup. Yea! how on a sudden came a change! 
No sooner, one sultry morn, was my net 
drawn in, than my sloop stranded on the 
pebbly ground. An ominous calm, of 



38 A TaIvE Coni^ided by the Woods 

length unknown, before a counterblast set 
her afloat. Then, lo ! j 

Imp. (with gusto). Lo, and behold! ' 

Cup. The cloud-veil lifted and showed a bril- 
liant growth. The Peacock-Griffins; sport- 
ive ornaments of the luxuriant trees, were 
blessed with eyes as large as plates ; but kept 
like mummies mum. Poor things, they had 
no throats. 

Imp. (laughing as usual). Had Sir Crimson 
more to say? 

Cup. Oh, yes, he said, He he ! The sparkling 
Cactus said, He he! he he! The pond re- 
ferred to was of surface clear; what its al- 
lurements lies beyond the province of this 
tale. A beauty lurking from one of the 
many stagnant pools — an odd-stick, who 
would not for worlds say other folks' say 
— screamed with all his might and main: 
Hey, hey, heigho! Heigho! Ha-ha-ha! 

Imp. I burst — split. Hold me! Ha-ha-ha I 
(Yet evading Cupid's touch.) 

Cup. Meanwhile the vapors slowly settled on 
the no more happy land. The change had 
been too sudden; too overpowering the 



A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 39 

shock. The youngest children perished on 
the spot. (Emotion Pause.) 

Imp. Onward! Enlarge on the bewitching sit- 
uation. 

Cup. She, as if in sleep, on evergreens re- 
clining, inhales no balsam from such lore. 

Imp. Proceed! 

Cup. a change befell the most boisterous, a 
sturdy toadstool. As to first utterance of 
love a maid responds with shy, inquiring 
eyes, and, reassured, re-droops her lids, 
without, howe'er, refraining from subdued 
expressions of delight: In impious mim- 
icry of that he, the ruddy rogue, would gloat 
upon the scene of woe, and during long 
drawn intervals, his eyelids closed, in ec- 
stasy, reflect thereon, without subduing gig- 
gles — giggles — (Imp shakes with laughter.) 
— giggles measured irresistibly; as also vain 
attempts at imitation wrought spasmatic 
jollity from near to far. The triumph of 
that ruddy rogue (in whom mine Imp will 
recognize himself) — 

Imp. Ahem! 

Cup. — was vastly due to me. 



40 A Tale: Conj^ide^d by the; Woods 

Dragon^IvY (aside). Villain! Know that I 
repent and expiate in these fetters. 

Cup. (aside). Nor less do I loathe Imp. For 
fairies am I in this plight, (to Imp) Un- 
chained, I'll lead you over pious jokes to 
greater triumphs. 

Imp. Why cannot piety I claim? 

Cup. An Imp is impious by name. And can 
you guess what other trait your name im- 
plies ? 

Imp. Quick is my wit — I guess: Imp lies. 
Ugh! my sides, do stop your aches. Gay 
corners o' the mouth. Oh, take a downward 
curve. (Evading Cupid's touch.) 
(Imp mounts Dragonfly. All off.)] 



Sc^ne: III. Forest. Enter Poet. 

Poe:t (walking). 
By virtue of sweet sympathy 

Thou holdst commune with elf and bird, 
While demons with their deviltry 

Thy halo softly pass unheard. 

As true as I was raised by thee 

From out the scorching sand, will dear 



A TaivE; Coni?idj:d by thb Woods 41 

Remernhrance of thy majesty 

Soon guide me to a higher sphere. 

This vale, hill after hill may soon 
Be passed, and Hespers solemn light 

Above yon highest peak soon, soon 
Reveal thy pilgrim's upward flight. 

To him opes Purgatory's gate, 

For in a wreath thy soul did twine 

And lend, thy word and glance — his great 
Desert and aid — reflected shine. 

For throughout Bad exists the zvrit 

Of hurl to Satan's hot domain. 
Whoe'er for Purgatory fit 

Be sure, eternal bliss to gain. 

Thus, when I Heaven enter, there 
The angel sweet will yet be minei 

Thou, on earth for me too fair. 
Of composition too divine. 

(Enters the thicket) 



42 A Tai.^ Con^id^d by th^ Woods 



ACT IV. 

ScijN^ I. Half way up-hill. 

Enter, Jenny, a blonde, in blue satin, fol- 
lowed by Imp in fascinating disguises; he 
vainly manoeuvering to attract notice by gal- 
lant postures; she, with far-off look intent 
upon an approaching straw hat supported by a 
black domino. 



Sc^N^ II. Below the preceding. 

Enter, Cupid and Poet. 

Cup. My liberator! I leave you in best 
hands (pointing to Jenny), the hands of 
Love. 

Poe:t. No time for rhyme. O, benefactor, 
be thou blessed ! 

(Off.y 

(Murmurs heard. How easily are Echo's 



A Tale Confided by the Woods 43 

services forgotten! And Mirages seldom 
linger in relieved a mind.)^ 
Cup. 
A curse pronounced, a dragonfly set free, 

I to my fairy friends their talisman restore; 
Thence shall my thoughts for pining lovers he, 
And their impatience soothed by my urn-bom 
lore. 

(Exit.)^ 



Scene III. Same as Scene I. 

Jenny, still intent on straw hat. Imp. 

Imp. (as Cavalier J. May I — ■■ 

(as Young Theologian). May I — 
(as Venerable Prophet). May I — 
(Enter Cupid.) 
Cup. (holding up talisman and filliping Imp). 
You may — you shall — roll from this orb 
serene. 
Imp. You, well formed, unfettered? holding, 
using thus the talisman! Bacchus! no lon- 
ger mine ally? 

(After a few revolutions in the air, 



44 A TaIv^ Coni^idi:d by the: Woods 

somersaults down hill. Wings unfolding, 
Cupid flies off.) 



Je:nny. Queen of Fairies! as I have always 
loved your people, come! (Enter Fairy- 
Queen, holding talisman.) Administer to 
that weary traveller a cordial. Out of its 
strength a friend may rise, available for 
you in a Walpurgis night. 
Qu^e:n. 

Sweet is my sway in Elfin-land, 
But sweeter far the grace 
Bestowed on me by your command, 
(Queen off. The last of her innumerable 
train having passed, up comes, with staff, in 
pilgrim's dress. Poet.) 
Jen. Sir, you seem a stranger here, where I'm 
at home. The road is rough and my father's 
little villa stands upon this hill. Pray 
let me lead you there. My arm is firm. 

(Pilgrim drops straw hat, staff and sur- 

tout, and emerges as Proselyte in a spotless 

garment of heliotrope velvet. ) 

Poet (with joyous smile). I bow to firmness. 

Jen. This change from black of night to 

lovely day I am too simple to understand. 



A Tale Coni^ided by the Woods 45 

Poet. Gentle Ladybird, oh, do not fly away! 

Jen. No, indeed, unless a Heliotrope become 
my chaser. 

Poet. Chase her who converted me to faith 
in this heavenly reality! 

Jen. Shall we make a pilgrimage through 
that part of Paradise, the lovely grove — 
bouquet, my father calls it — to-day allotted 
to his only child ? or do you favor this direct 
path? 

Poet. The song of birds and insects, where- 
f rom I have been estranged, thrills my heart 
with joy thousand- fold. They call! Oh, 
guide me through these woods. 

Jen. Then we may travel on Euphrates' right 
or left; the left has just been drained, 
cleared, vested with new growth; and only 
toadstools, cacti, will-o'-the-wisps, betoken 
the late swamp. 

Poet. For your sake I prefer the booklet's 
shady side. 

(Exeunt.)' 



Scene IV. Night. Armory in Count This- 
tle's castle. Thunder and lightning without. 
Countess and Child. 



46 A TaI,^ C0N^ID]eD BY TH^ WoODS 



ClvARA. 



O, mother mine. 
My flower dear, 
O thou my home. 

My all! 
No fear is known 
To me, but that 
Disaster thee 

Befall. 



Countess. 



/ doubted not 
Thy heart to be 
'As valiant as 

My own, 
Which, when its lord 
Is absent, vows 
To lord the manse 

Alone. 
(Enter, abruptly, Page. J 

Countess. Has the Count arrived? 

Page:. No, Madam, but — 

Countess. Stand on ceremony; wait till you 

hear "Come in." 
Page. I trespassed, under pressure — 
Countess. Do as bidden. (Exit Page.) (A 

knock.) Come in! (Re-enter Page.) 



A Tale Coni^ide:d by the) Woods 47 

Page. My former trespass — is it pardoned, 
Madam ? 

Countess. On one condition. 

Page. Then also Piper may be pardoned. In 
valor second to none save myself, Piper 
peeped into this night. Heroism, I assure 
you, Madam. The distant park gate bell 
had sounded, when, bound to escort home 
the Count, Piper peeped again; and tremor, 
only tremor prevented Piper from obeying 
your command. Then fearless I prepared 
for deeds heroic. Piper passed me lantern 
and umbrella, one of which I rejected with 
disdain; for, said I, without umbrella, I 
can run, and with a steady light see whither 
to pursue. With the lantern I then briskly 
started for the gate, the distant gate with 
horrid brass-heads at each side. The flap- 
ping of fishes on my cheek I minded not so 
much as their torn faces, hooks still an- 
chored in them, wounds that no doubt had 
cried to Heaven; and now the fishes swam 
in cloudbursts to the grave. It came to me 
that they were fishes such as the Count loves 
to hook and then let go. The rain abated, 
not the thunder, when I entered the park's 



48 A Tai,!; Con^ide:d by the Woods 

more woody part, alive with plaintive chirp- 
ing. Courageous in each fibre, I gave but 
passing notice to those large, featherless, 
emaciated birds in nests, I knew, the Count 
had "taken care of" (as he terms it), by 
dashing their inhabitants to death upon the 
ground. Pale-eyed ogresses, upbraiding 
boisterously, daliled here and there. I 
boldly marched towards the gate with fiend- 
ish brazen guardians at each side; the no 
more distant gate, for the defile whence it is 
seen was reached ; and I assure you, Madam, 
the Count stood not at the gate, to whose 
very brass-heads I should have ventured 
had not a knell, a side glance at a gibbet, 
beggaring description — 
Countess. Enough; you may retire. 
(Exit Page.) 

ClyARA. 

O, Mother mine, 
My flower dear, 
O thou, my home 
My all! 

In song as in 
Our prayers, let 



Countess. 



A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 49 

Us Fairy Pet 
Recall. 

Clara. I love the fairies all, the birds, the 
flowers. How naturally thy love has led 
me on, and mine increased for thee as it ex- 
tended toward others. 

(Rain beats against the lattice.)' 

Countess. Storm-king has quite an army in 
the field. 

Clara. I will arm and be ready to attack, 
defend. 

Countess. Wait for the sun, and we will 
help to mend. 

(A knell. Gust extinguishes the candles. 
Enter, visible by flashes of lightning, and 
pausing when thunder rolls. Ghost of Count 
Thistle.) 

Ghost. Not so much do I deplore the man- 
ner of my death, as that Death seized me 
when remorse was dawning in my breast. 
Oh, had he but waited! The cup of my 
misdeeds was doubtless overflowing. Mercy 
be my intercessor on the Judgment Day. 
But now to things terrestrial, alas! incum- 
bent on me after death; inevitable sequence 
of my cruelties. With a nicely-evened road 



50 A TAht Confided by the Woods 

spread out before me, my first steps were 
on a lawn. Next on a flower bed I trod; 
stems, boughs I broke, destroyed birds and 
fishes. From bad to worse, my life was 
spent in war upon Nymphs, protectresses of 
wood and water; and through them against 
that concord loving Power whose influence 
I impaired. The Nymphs, with ghosts of my 
victims called me, the expiring, to account. 
Oh, could I speak my heart to them, who, 
perceiving my remorse, forgave me. As 
that Power, their superior, must be recon- 
ciled, they told me that if I furnished suc- 
cor to the Nymphs I might be freed from 
walking. Remorseful, I had safely reached 
our gate, when instead of taking to the 
gravelled road I, slave of habit, must needs 
strike across the soaking fields, where a tree, 
splitting, caught and crushed me in its cleft. 
Send thither, for the suffering bough's re- 
lief. Do not weep! But listen first to my 
last behests. 

CouNTE^ss. In minding them I also meet the 
promptings of my heart. 

Count. A child well trained subdues the will 
of wicked man; a chosen fairy guides the 



A Tale Coni^ided by the Woods 51 

rest. In Clara, my step-child, and in Fairy 
Pet, I recognize the agencies required. 
Through you Pet's love for her wards will 
waken; Clara's new born sympathies em- 
brace the sylvan world. Receive Pet as 
playmate for your child. Observe their 
habits — break, confirm them. Habits are 
our friends or foes. Alas! through mine I 
came to grief. 
Countess. Pet, alas ! is prisoner in the Cave- 

of-Winds. 
Count. Forgiveness will be hers when the 
Queen knows Pet's guilt was negative. In 
throwing the apple she said not, "Be it cast 
to an Imp," but "I care not if it were." 
And now. Adieu! 

(Ghost vanishes. y 
Clara (at the window). 

Storm as ye may. 
Uncanny shapes! 
Your beckoning 

Is lost 
On me, in love 
As deep as strange 
For Fairy Pet 
Engrossed, 



52 A Tai.e Confided by the: Woods 

CouNTE^ss. But how to Send that message to 
the Fairy Queen? 

CivARA. O, mother! through that gentle lady, 
Miss Jenny, friend of the fairies and friend 
of yours. Let us go to that sweet lady. 

Countess. But what if I am deceived? Per- 
chance the Count stands hale and hearty at 
the gate. 

CivARA. I hope he will let us have Pet, and 
grow tenderhearted toward the sylvan 
world. 

Countess. Let us hasten to seek him. I can- 
not wait till day. 

(Countess and Clara go out into the tem- 
pest. ) 



Scene V. Woods. 

Proselyte helps Jenny over brook. They seat 
themselves on a rustic bench. Enter Clara. 

CivARA. Mother sends her Clara, as only 
cherubs should cross Lovers' path. What 
are cherubs? 

Poet (petting her). Little angels. Gaze into 
this booklet and behold one. 



A Tale Confided by the Woods 53 

Jen. (kissing her). And what message comes 
to us from Heaven? 

CivARA. My mother sends through you word 
to the Fairy Queen that Pet, endeared to us, 
is innocently pining in the Cave-of-the- 
Winds, because she said not ''The tahsman 
be tost/' but, "I care not if it were tost to 
Imp." 

Jen. Queen of Fairies! (Enter Fairy- 
Queen.) Rescue Fairy Pet, for reasons 
which this Httle angel will explain. 

Queen. Sweet is my sway in Elfin-land, but 
sweeter far the grace bestowed on me by 
your command. 

(Queen off with Clara.)' 

Poet. To me much of this idyl we enact is 
dreamlike; consciously, however, my love 
for you pervades the dream. 

(Both disappear in winding path. J 



54 A Tai^e; Con^id^d by th^ Woods 



ACT V. 

ScENie I. Cave-of-Winds. 

Pet, with hair dishevelled, not in the least 
mindful of her little feet, her pride in bygone 
times. 

Notes are heard, 

From Ocean, 

From Fairy-land. 

Exhaustive wail of Spirits. 
Visions seen, 

The smiling Lily. 

Pine grove asleep. 

Count Thistle dangling in the haunted 

park. 



ScDN^ II. Giant-Ear. 

Fairies, led by Nerve, unwinding thread, 
enter the rocky labyrinth; are seen turning 



A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 55 

and twisting, progressing and receding, until 
Nerve at lenglJi espies Pet, who, clasping her, 
is led back by jubilant fairies to the cave's en- 
trance, where 

Enter Countess and Clara. 
Countess (embracing and kissing Pet). My 

daughter ! 
Pet. Mother. 
CivARA (embracing and kissing Pet). My 

partner ! 
Pet. And sister! 

(Countess, Clara and Pet, in carriage 

with eight Arabian steeds, off to castle. 

Fairies return to their dear home.)^ 



Scene III. Where insects soft and flowers 
reign supreme. Enter, Poet and Jenny. A 
deputation of wee gold-beetles. 

GoLDBEETivES. We congratulate, and confer 
on thee the title of Saint Immortelle ! 

Jenny. Thank you, my lovelies, thanks! 
(Exit Deputation.) These little pets con- 
gratulated me for — 

Poet. Your twenty-first birthday. 



'56 A Tai.k Confided by the Woods 

Jen. How know you? 

Poet. By intuition. 

Jen. And Echoes told your rank : a Poet are 
you! (Crowning him with a web of flowers 
held by laurel wreath.) A Poet, used to 
"Thou" and "Thine." 

PoET. I love thee and thine. 

Jen. There being solace in it — 

PoET. My love and Ladybird! 

Jen. — at first sight of my father, tell him that 
thou art my other birthday present. He 
wants me happy, and thou art my happiness. 

Poet. 

Where are my thoughts of bliss above? 
Made occult by thy presence, love. 
Thine ease at heart I will each midnight go 
round this estate, put a nightcap on each 
Jack-a-lantern, and deeply bury Jack and 
cap. 

Jen. Risen from fungi, and, in transmigra- 
tion's order, destined to high purposes, they 
rather appeal to benediction. 

Poet. The nightcaps ? 

Jen. Let all hover on. 

Poet. Even those who lead astray? 

Jen. If of their own free will, they fare 



A Tai.^ Coni^ided by the Woods 57 

worse than the wanderer. And I commend 
my flowers, birds and insects to thy tender- 
ness. So simple are they, so devout, that 
from my inmost faith I know their souls 
will not be lost; yet let us treat them all the 
while as if all joys of theirs ceased with their 
little earthly lives. 

Poet. At sunrise I'll review the newly risen 
toadstools, and, as if no devil's pitchforks 
lay in wait, before beheading, regale them 
with a piece of poet's prose : good hearty 
cuffs on ears and nose. 

Jen. Rather, in recognition of their being 
reformed imps in a state of progress toward 
Jack-a-lanterns, transplant them into a toad- 
stoolery. 

Poet. Suppose them to be impenitent — 

Jen. Then their disguise, shortlived at most, 
naturally accelerates their fall. Let us sup- 
pose our toadstools, in full view of our pets, 
and under our tender care, to continue in 
reform. 
(Gnome appears from underground.) 

Gnome. The fairies send me. Hidden treas- 
ures are at your command. 

Poet. Friend, behold my trove of love! 



58 A Taive: CoN]e'iD^D by th^ Woods 

Jen. And mine, and let us pass this time, 
good friend. 

Gnom^. 

When you want us shake the birch tree; 
Shake it, shake it, and we are there. 

(Exit Gnome. Enter a congregation of 
Ladybirds, Salute Jenny and pass on. En- 
ter, magnificently attired, Pet and Weird.) 

Weird. O'er blade and bush, from bud to 
blossom, the joyful news of your betrothal 
was conveyed. 

Pet. And at the villa fairies have so adjusted 
matters that naught is left to sanction or ex- 
plain. 

Jen. With thanks I wait for time of little ac- 
tions. 

Poet. Thine is a world from which my na- 
ture, unrefined, is yet excluded. 

Jen. Fairies are my friends. 

Poet. With whom to commune, what bliss! 
(Enter Fairy-Queen; salutes Jenny and 
Poet, who seems as though enchanted.) 

Queen (with crown and dignity). Merit 
travels like a flash in Fairyland; reward as 
swiftly. Chief coadjutor for the talisman's 



A TaIvE Con^ide:d by the Woods 59 

recovery, we grant to you the privilege of 
communion with us and our subjects. 

Poet. Little creatures grave and gay, inde- 
scribably enchanting. 

Weird and Pet. And our voices? 

Poet. Silver bells. 

Weird and Pet. Persuasive also. What were 
wanting ? i 

Poet. Nothing, nothing, if her father wel- 
come me. 

(They approach villa. Naturalist on 
porch, surrounded by fairies, stretches forth 
his arms.) 

Queen (one hand on his arm J. These nobles 
are heroine and hero of our solicitude. He, 
her proselyte; she, his most delight; Bound 
to make each other happy. 

Naturalist. Welcome, children! future son 
and present daughter. 

( Descends, y 
(During the following concluding words 
Naturalist, placing hand on Poet's shoulder, 
looks into his eyes. They clasp hands and 
embrace each other repeatedly.) 

Queen (to Jenny). On this solemn occasion 



6o A Tal^ Confided by the Woods 

we lend to you our Talisman, charged with 
fulfilment of a wish. 
Jen. (holding it and turning no less to the 
audience). I wish — that each and all of you 
be satisfied and happy. 



^INIS. 



DEC 19 Wn' 



